Resource Types

Resource Type Distinctions

It is crucial that environmental education (EE) providers and teachers all have a common understanding of the terms used to describe EE offerings. An EE provider may have more than one offering, and each offering may have multiple components. For the purposes of establishing a common terminology, the following distinctions are made:

Unit

Structured sequence of lessons.
Set of lesson plans with a specific theme.
Multiple days may be required to complete.

Lesson Plan/Activity

Structure that may include discussion, experiments, activities, and/or special presentation(s).
Focused concept within the unit.
May include an evaluative tool.
Something that is hands-on/minds-on.
Has a measurable outcome.

Professional Development/ Training Workshops

Short workshops, courses or seminars used to develop the skills of educators.
Trainings that focus on the use of specific curricula.

Presentation

Usually one time.
May be a stand-alone offering or a part of a program or unit.
Often a guest speaker or specialist.
One classroom, several combined classrooms, or auditorium setting.

Event

Major Production (e.g. conference, science fair, Earth Day, theater production).
May be a stand-alone offering or part of a program or unit.
May involve one classroom, an entire grade, the whole school, and/or the community.

Project

Application of themes, subthemes, and materials.
Action oriented; has an end product .
Timeframe varies.

Material(s)

Anything used to support activities (e.g. educational trunks, videos, posters).
Anything used to support professional development of teachers (e.g. curriculum guides).

Interpretive

Includes both personal services (e.g. slide show, guided walk) and nonpersonal services (e.g. trail signs, brochures, exhibit).
Educational opportunities that use an interpretive approach (inspire then instruct)(e.g. field trip, zoo program).

Service Learning

An educational experience that combines academic knowledge with community service and personal reflection.